The Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix that were scheduled for next month are set to be cancelled as a result of the war in the Middle East.

A formal decision to call off the races has not yet been made but is expected before the end of the weekend.

Freight would need to start being shipped to the Middle East in the coming days. With no sign of the conflict between the US/Israel and Iran coming to a conclusion, holding the races would put personnel at too great a risk.

Neither event will be replaced, with the season being cut to 22 grands prix and F1 taking a commercial hit of more than £100m, given Bahrain and Saudi Arabia pay two of the highest hosting fees.

The race in Bahrain was scheduled to be on 12 April with Jeddah the following weekend.

Consideration was given to holding events at Portimao in Portugal, Imola in Italy or Istanbul Park in Turkey.

But it was accepted that the time to organise a race at any of those locations was too short, and there was little chance of securing a hosting fee.

The decision will mean there is a five-week break between the Japanese Grand Prix on 29 March and Miami on 3 May.

Dozens of MPs are calling for the government to formally apologise for Britain’s actions during its administration of Palestine in the first part of the 20th century.

In September, the Britain Owes Palestine campaign group submitted a 400-page legal petition to the government, but has yet to receive a response.

Politics latest: Reeves rows with petrol retailers as oil prices spike

Leading British KCs Ben Emmerson and Danny Friedman wrote the substantial document, which provides details of what they say are unlawful actions and war crimes committed during the British occupation of the region between 1917 and 1948.

It says Britain unlawfully failed to recognise Arab self-determination, lacked proper legal authority for the Balfour Declaration and the subsequent mandate, and committed war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, arbitrary detention and mass home demolitions.

Alongside the petition, 45 MPs and peers from all parties signed an open letter calling on the British government to formally apologise, as they say the UK must confront its historical role and responsibility to support peace efforts today.

Palestine 1917-1948

In 1917, the Balfour Declaration was signed as the British pledged support for a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine.

From 1920, the League of Nations (the precursor to the UN) formally granted Britain a mandate (known as the British Mandate for Palestine), which required them to facilitate Jewish immigration and self-governance in the territory – resulting in conflicting promises for both the Jewish people and Palestinians.

There were periodic violent uprisings, and in 1948, following the failure of the 1947 UN partition plan, Britain handed responsibility to the UN and withdrew, resulting in the State of Israel being established.

MP: Britain violated international laws

Lib Dem MP Layla Moran, who is the first British MP of Palestinian descent, said: “During its occupation of Palestine, Britain violated a series of international laws that were binding at the time.

“The consequences of those actions have profoundly shaped the conflict we witness today, yet successive governments have refused to acknowledge this record or offer a formal apology.

“If Britain is serious about promoting peace in Gaza today, it must begin by confronting its historical role, recognising the harm caused, and taking meaningful responsibility for it.”

Read more:
More than 1,000 councillors sign Palestine solidarity pledge
UK, France and Canada recognising Palestine has serious implications

Apology would be meaningful to Palestinians

Legal expert Victor Kattan, who helped write the petition, told Sky News: “Our main ask is for an official public apology from the prime minister and a conversation about reparations.

“This project long preceded the government last year recognising Palestine, and that is a good step, but without an apology, it doesn’t address the past.

“An apology would be very meaningful to the Palestinian people, it’s a form of catharsis, recognising someone’s pain and suffering, even if it’s in the past.”

Professor Kattan, assistant professor in public international law at the University of Nottingham, said they are not asking for direct payments as part of reparations, but would appreciate that period being part of the national curriculum in schools, and for it to be detailed in museums.

A memorial would also be something they would appreciate, he added.

Palestinian philanthropist Munib Al-Masri, 91, is leading the petition after being shot by British soldiers as a boy, with shrapnel still in his body.

He said: “What Britain did in Palestine did not end when it left in 1948. The policies and violence of that period helped create the conditions for the calamity we are living through today. An official apology is about recognising that history and the harm it continues to cause.”

The Foreign Office said it does not routinely comment on petitions.

Plans for a 618-space multi-storey car park at Cambridge North station have divided opinion, with some saying it’s desperately needed while others warn it will worsen traffic

Advertisement

Cambridgeshire Live readers have been debating plans for a multi-storey car park at Cambridge North railway station. Some readers say it will help drivers and make trips easier.

Others say it will add to traffic, does not fit with ‘sustainable’ travel, and ignores bikes and buses. Chesterton Partnership has proposed to build a three-storey car park with 618 spaces on land north of Cowley Road in Cambridge.

The plans form part of the Cambridge North development. If approved, plans said the car park will provide a “strategically located parking infrastructure”.

The applicants added: “This arrangement establishes a clear and legible search pattern for drivers, improving wayfinding, reducing potential vehicle conflicts, and enhancing overall safety within the deck environment.”

For some, additional spaces are welcomed. Banthebikes says: “This is great news for car drivers and hopefully it will be full every day.”

Neil McArthur agrees that demand is genuine: “Yes, people actually drive in & around Cambridge, and desperately need convenient & affordable parking spaces across our city.”

Others argue the proposal misses the point entirely. Freddly writes: “There is nothing sustainable in this plan, and it needs to be turned down. Traffic simply expands to fill the space available – the last 40 years have taught us that. Even if this was considered ‘park and ride’ for the station, there is nothing virtuous or sustainable about driving to a station to take a train.”

Charlesbranston asks: “Any plans on finally creating a safe place for commuters to leave their bikes? Or should we all continue to use the main station in the absence of somewhere reasonably safe to lock up a bike, with at least the glimmer of hope that it hasn’t already been pinched before your return journey?”

Windypants believes: “This will just escalate the already terrible congestion throughout the city. There should be no parking at all at any station in Cambridge. Walking is good for you! As is cycling!”

Calumen Nomen disagrees: “No – they have taught us that if you recklessly expand the population, then you will also expand the activities and services that population generates and requires. Such as traffic. btw – we have ‘sustained’ driving for well over a hundred years now. How much longer before the fuzzy-minded element amongst us accepts that it is very obviously ‘sustainable’ (as if that matters)?”

Is this car park really needed? Comment below or HERE to join in the conversation.

KINGSTON, N.Y. (AP) — A former New York state trooper accused of ramming his vehicle into an SUV during a high-speed chase leading to the death of an 11-year-old girl was convicted of manslaughter Friday at his second trial.

Prosecutors say Christopher Baldner rammed the SUV twice on the New York State Thruway, causing it to lose control and flip over. Eleven-year-old Monica Goods, who was in the SUV, was killed in the December 2020 crash. Baldner’s attorneys said the accident occurred after the SUV cut the trooper off as he pulled alongside during the pursuit.

A jury acquitted Baldner of murder and reckless endangerment charges in November, but they deadlocked on a second-degree manslaughter charge. Judge Bryan Rounds declared a mistrial and a second trial on the lone remaining charge began last month.

Assistant State Attorney General Jennifer Gashi told jurors during Baldner’s latest trial that he chose to “recklessly use his patrol car as a weapon” during the chase north of New York City. Defense attorney Anthony Ricco argued it was the driver of the SUV — Monica’s father, Tristin Goods — who acted recklessly and caused her death, according to the Daily Freeman.

Baldner pulled Tristin Goods over for speeding on the highway near Kingston the night of Dec. 22, 2020. Goods, his wife and two daughters were heading north from New York City to visit family.

Baldner and Goods argued, and the trooper pepper-sprayed the inside the vehicle. Goods drove off and Baldner pursued.

Defense attorneys said Goods collided with Baldner’s trooper car twice during the pursuit. An accident reconstruction expert for the defense testified that Goods lost control of the SUV when he overcorrected after “a very minor impact,” the newspaper reported.

The ex-trooper retired in 2022 after almost 20 years with the state police.

In the two weeks since the US and Israeli strikes on Iran began, Donald Trump’s war aims have fluctuated between crippling Iranian military capabilities and toppling the regime that has ruled there since 1979. But despite the success of the initial strikes, which killed the supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, many analysts believe that air power alone will not be sufficient to bring about regime change.

They say this objective would be impossible to achieve without combat troops on the ground, a move that most US military and political leaders have long opposed. Instead, one idea that seems to be circulating in Washington is to support an invasion by armed Kurdish groups in Iraq and western Iran to destabilise the Islamic Republic from within.

Trump publicly backed away from this idea on March 6, telling reporters: “I don’t want the Kurds to go into Iran … The war is complicated enough as it is.” But, given Trump’s trademark inconsistency and the unpredictable nature of this conflict, an armed Kurdish uprising remains a distinct possibility. Such a scenario could have consequences that extend far beyond Iran.

The Kurds are an ethnic group with their own language and culture who have lived in a mountainous area of the Middle East for centuries. Nowadays, they number around 30 million and live in a region that spans parts of Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria. The Kurds are widely considered to be the world’s largest stateless people because they do not have a country of their own.

This situation dates to the end of the first world war, when the Ottoman empire collapsed. Kurdish leaders at that time hoped to establish their own state, having lived for 400 years under Ottoman rule. But instead their homeland was divided between several new countries that emerged from the defeated Ottoman state. This left Kurdish communities split across international borders.

Around 10% of Iran’s population is Kurdish and many live in the country’s north-west near the borders of Iraq and Turkey. The Kurdish region of Iran has long been the least economically developed part of the country and Kurdish political parties are outlawed. Armed Kurdish groups have periodically clashed with the Iranian state, demanding greater autonomy or independence.

The Kurdish question is even more sensitive in Turkey, which is home to the largest population of Kurds in the world. Since 1984, the Turkish state has been locked in conflict with the Kurdistan Workers’ party (PKK), an armed group that has fought to establish an independent Kurdish state. This conflict has killed more than 40,000 people in the past four decades.

For the Turkish government, the possibility that the US may support Kurdish fighters in neighbouring Iran is therefore not just a foreign policy issue. Turkish leaders worry that strengthening Kurdish armed groups elsewhere in the region could embolden similar movements inside Turkey itself.

In the recent past, Turkey has launched military incursions into the Kurdish regions of Iraq and Syria. It has also fought a brutal counterinsurgency against PKK fighters inside its own borders. These actions show how strongly Turkish leaders oppose any notion of Kurdish independence anywhere in the region.

American support for Kurdish fighters has caused tension between the US and Turkey in the past. Turkey strongly opposed the partnership between Washington and Syrian Kurdish forces during the fight against the Islamic State militant group in Syria in the late 2010s. It argued that some of these Kurdish groups were linked to the PKK.

Turkey’s relations with Israel have also been strained by the Kurdish question. The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has accused the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, of undermining the transitional Syrian government by aiding Kurdish groups there. The Kurdish issue has clearly become a major source of tension between Turkey, a key member of the Nato alliance, and the west.

So far, Turkey has largely remained neutral in the Iran war. Despite their regional rivalry, Turkish and Iranian leaders share concerns about Kurdish separatist movements and have sometimes cooperated to contain them. In the past, security forces from both countries have coordinated efforts against Kurdish militant groups operating along their shared border.

Turkish and Iranian officials have also exchanged intelligence and carried out military operations against Kurdish fighters moving between the two countries. And both governments strongly opposed the 2017 referendum on independence that was held by the Kurds in northern Iraq. Over 92% of votes were cast in favour of independence.

Iranian regime change

For Turkey, the collapse or fragmentation of the Iranian state would be deeply worrying. It could create exactly the conditions Turkish leaders fear most: armed Kurdish groups operating across a much longer and more unstable border.

Another concern is the possibility of a new refugee crisis. Turkey already hosts nearly 4 million Syrians following the civil war that began there in 2011 – the largest refugee population in the world. This has become a major political issue inside Turkey.

If conflict or state collapse in Iran – a larger and even more politically complex state than Syria – triggers large-scale displacement, many more refugees could head west towards Turkey. Such a scenario would place considerable political and economic pressure on the government.

Washington may see the Kurds as a useful way to confront the Iranian regime without deploying American troops. But such a strategy could create new tensions elsewhere in the region. For Turkey, Kurdish militancy is not simply a foreign policy issue but a core national security concern.

If the Iran war ends up empowering Kurdish armed groups or destabilising Turkey’s border, Erdoğan may yet feel compelled to respond. This could open up another front in an already expanding regional conflict.

What are the pros and cons of creatine?

What does creatine do to the body?

AWORKINPROGRESS has the tools to finish the job in the Jenningsbet Midlands Grand National (3.00) at Uttoxeter today. The Nick Gifford-trained seven-year-old has been a winning machine over fences – he’s won six of his seven starts in the sphere – and is mustard over a distance of ground that has plenty of juice in it.

Having signed off his career over hurdles with a win at Fontwell Park in May 2024, Aworkinprogress racked up a five-timer over the larger obstacles. The going was ‘soft’ or ‘heavy’ when the son of Soldier Of Fortune collected at Stratford, Lingfield Park (three times) and Uttoxeter between October 2024 and November 2025.

READ MORE: Sir Alex Ferguson secures huge Cheltenham Festival windfall as tax loophole emergesREAD MORE: Harry Redknapp’s The Jukebox Man flying flag for England at Cheltenham in Gold Cup

The winning run came to an end at Chepstow 19 days before Christmas but Aworkingprogress resumed normal service in the Surrey National back at Lingfield last time out.

Ridden as this afternoon by James Davies, my preference got the better of a stirring duel with the reopposing Catch Catchfire, the front pair 12 lengths clear of the third horse.Under the circumstances, a 5lb rise in the weights could have been worse and Aworkinprogress has the ideal conditions to go in again.

The Jenningsbet Novices’ Handicap Chase (3.35) is taken to go the way of another son of Solder Of Fortune, AS THE FELLA SAYS.

James Bowen, who celebrated the first Cheltenham Festival winners this week, was on board when Nicky Henderson’s seven-year-old broke his duck over fences at the fourth attempt at Newbury 25 days ago.

As The Fella Says justified his status as the 15-8 favourite by powering way from Major Fortune to score by four and three-quarter lengths.

The British Horseracing Authority number-cruncher was never going to take that performance lying down and As The Fella Says is 7lb higher today – but still has more to offer.

Model of consistency JOHN BARBOUR is expected to give another good account of himself in the JenningsBet Handicap Hurdle (2.25).

From 12 visits to the track, Yeats’s son has failed to make the frame just once, gaining the last of his three victories here in the Potteries on New Year’s Eve.

Advertisement

John Barbour found only the back-to-form Fiercely Proud too good over two and a half miles at Ascot next time and a first try over an additional four furlongs should suit the Fergal O’Brien trainee.

Also going up in distance is IT’S TOP in the opening JenningsBet 200 Shops Nationwide Handicap Hurdle (1.50).

Gavin Sheehan’s mount was strong at the finish when making all for a novice hurdle at Carlisle at the beginning of last month and a first try at two and a half miles should unlock further progress as the bottom weight moves into handicaps.

At Kempton Ryan’s Rocket is fancied to gain handsome compensation for Christmas calamity in Sunbury by landing the Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Handicap Chase (3.18).

Punters sent the Fergal O’Brien-saddled son of Jetaway off the 7-4 favourite for the Grade 2 Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Handicap Chase on the second day of the King George VI Chase fixture after the eight-year-old’s comeback score at Newbury in November.

Everything was going to plan until my selection made a mistake at the eighth of the 12 obstacles, and decanted Johnny Burke into the turf. Ryan’s Rocket was going easily at the time, and it’s instructive to not that Thistle Ask, the 10-length winner from a British Horseracing Authority mark of 146, is now rated 160.

For his part, Ryan’s Rocket has been dropped 1lb to 134, a figure that’s well within range as he bids to pocket the £31,218 first prize.

Burke could also be in business aboard TURNDLIGHTSDOWNLOW in the Virgin Bet A Good Bet Handicap Hurdle (2.40).

Martin Keighley’s son of Court Cave scored over course and distance in September on his debut in the handicap sphere, following up over Kempton’s two miles and five furlongs three weeks later.

He lost little in subsequent defeats over further at Sandown Park and Wincanton, but coming back in distance – and returning to Sunbury – won’t hurt his chances.

After a fine second to Barlovento here on the King George undercard, TAPLEY and Izzi Ryder are likely to take some pegging back in the Virgin Bet Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (2.08).

Councillors have also “called-in” the applications for legal examination

Controversial applications to turn three North Belfast houses into HMOs have been deferred by Belfast Council for site visits and “call-ins.”

Plans for three houses in close proximity in the Ballygomartin Road area, at 29 Glencairn Street, 24 Rutherglen Street, and 163 Ballygomartin Road have all gone to City Hall for conversion to HMOs. Each property has a different owner.

At the March meeting of the Belfast City Council Planning Committee, elected representatives agreed to defer decisions on all three for site visits.

READ MORE: Sinn Féin pour cold water on proposal for new arts centre in “bohemian” South Belfast

READ MORE: Padel Centre approved for East Belfast garden supply warehouse, despite being earmarked for apartments

The Glencairn Street application is for change of use from a three bedroom dwelling to a five bed, five person HMO. 69 objections have been received to the application.

The main concerns raised within thes objections are that there are too many HMOs in the area, with multiple existing HMOs on Glencairn Street. Objectors state more family homes are needed in the area and the plan would reduce surrounding house values. The objectors also raise concerns regarding parking issues, added strain on local services, and increased noise.

The application has been “called in” by councillors to be looked at on legal grounds. Reasons for the call-in include overconcentration of HMOs, parking and traffic issues, impact on residential amenity, property and waste management. Councillors say it is contrary to planning policy.

Despite this, council officials are recommending the application for proposal, and state in the planning report: “The proposal is compliant with policy in that the 10 percent threshold for HMOs on Glencairn Street has not yet been reached. Officers consider that the proposal will not be harmful in terms of traffic, parking, impact on residential amenity or the amenity of the surrounding area.”

The application for the neighbouring Rutherglen Street property is for change of use from a four bedroom dwelling to a five bedroom, five person HMO. 50 objections have been received to this application. Objectors raised similar concerns to that surrounding the application at Glencairn, and councillors again called-in the application.

The application for the neighbouring Ballygomartin Road property is again for change of use from a four bedroom dwelling to a five bedroom, five person HMO. 41 objections were forwarded regarding the application, with similar objections. Councillors again called in the application.

Both the Rutherglen Street and Ballygomartin Road applications have been recommended for approval by council officers.

Houses of Multiple Occupation, also known as a “house-share” residencies, which landlords lease out to three or more tenants from different addresses, have become increasingly controversial, with some arguing they have negatively affected communities and led to anti-social behaviour in places like the Holylands and Stranmillis in South Belfast, where landlords pack houses with undergraduates and others.

Applications for new HMO licences have increased in other parts of the city in recent years. A series of applications have been refused across the city, but many applicants are successfully appealing the decisions via the Planning Appeals Commission.

HMO licence renewal cannot be refused on the basis of overprovision of such properties in an area, but new licences can be refused on this basis.

While the council policy is that HMO’s should not account for more than 20 percent of any area of housing management, in reality many streets exceed this, with some in the Holylands reaching over 90 percent. Outside housing policy areas the threshold is 10 percent.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.